Justice Involved Support Specialist

BestSelf; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

The Justice Involved Support Specialist at BestSelf Behavioral Health supports individuals affected by the criminal justice system through needs-based screenings and referrals to community resources. You will work with the New York Statewide Comprehensive Screening Project and coordinate with court staff to facilitate connections to housing, healthcare, and social services.

Reporting to the Program Director, you will maintain accurate records, participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or closely related human service field or Associate degree in behavioral health with at least 2 years of related experience.
• LCSW, LMHC, and/or CASAC is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience working with Justice Involved population.
• Must be well-versed in Medication Assisted Treatments, relevant community resources, multi-disciplinary team methodology, and substance abuse treatment theory and methods.
• Practice Person-Centered Care and have a clinical orientation grounded in a harm reduction approach.
• Must be able to relate effectively to diverse backgrounds and to work well in a structured setting.
• Must possess excellent communication skills using all methods.
• Must be able to build effective relationships with community referral sources.

Responsibilities

• Conduct brief screenings to identify social determinants of health needs (housing, food, transportation, healthcare) and challenges related to substance use and mental health.
• Connect individuals to community-based organizations addressing their needs.
• Collaborate with court staff, pretrial services, harm reduction agencies, diversion specialists, peers, and community organizations.
• Create, maintain, and update community resources and service provider database.
• Maintain accurate records of screenings and referrals and document client care.
• Work to overcome barriers to service and treatment access for individuals with criminal legal involvement.
• Participate in training and integrate into treatment court structure and processes.
• Attend treatment team meetings and collaborate with referral sources.
• Collaborate with Justice entities and internal teams to provide value-driven outcomes & care for justice-involved clients.
• Complete all agency trainings and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Justice Involved population experience

Communication skills

Harm reduction approach

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Associates degree in behavioral health with 2+ years experience

LCSW/LMHC/CASAC preferred

Job description

Job Title: Justice Involved Support Specialist

Reports To: Program Director

Starting Rate: $22.60 per hour

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Program Summary

The Justice Involved Team is dedicated to providing equitable, trauma-informed, and person-centered support for individuals affected by the criminal justice system. Acting as a liaison between the court and BestSelf Behavioral Health, the team aims to facilitate off-ramp services as alternatives to incarceration. This approach focuses on enhancing individuals stability and promoting recovery within the community.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

The Justice Involved Support Specialist will support the New York Statewide Comprehensive Screening Project. Reporting to the Program Director of the Justice Involved Program, the Justice Involved Support Specialist will conduct needs-based screening and facilitate referrals for individuals with criminal legal involvement, specifically with the Lackawanna City Court, to community-based organizations that can address their needs. The Justice Involved Support Specialist will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide support and linkages to services that contribute to the underlying causes of an individual's involvement with the criminal legal system.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct brief screenings before or after arraignment that focus on identifying social determinants of health needs such as housing, food insecurity, transportation, and healthcare, as well as challenges related to substance use and mental health.
• Connect individuals to community-based organizations that can address their specific needs.
• Collaborate closely with court staff, pretrial services, harm reduction agencies, diversion specialists, peers, and community-based organizations and agencies.
• Create, maintain, and update community resources and service provider database
• Maintain accurate and timely records of screenings and referrals as well as documentation of client care.
• Work towards overcoming barriers and limitations to service and treatment access for individuals with criminal legal involvement.
• Participate in training sessions and work with the treatment court to seamlessly integrate into their structure and process.
• Participates in treatment team meetings.
• Collaborates and communicates effectively with referral sources.
• Collaborates with other Justice entities as well as internal team members to provide BestSelf value driven outcomes & care for justice involved clients.
• Completes all trainings required by the agency.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or closely related human service field -OR- Associates degree in behavioral health or human service field with at least 2 years of related experience.
• LCSW, LMHC, and/or CASAC is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience working with Justice Involved population.
• Must be well-versed in Medication Assisted Treatments, relevant community resources, multi-disciplinary team methodology, and substance abuse treatment theory and methods.
• Practice Person-Centered Care and have a clinical orientation that is grounded in a harm reduction approach.
• Must be able to relate effectively to diverse cultural and economic backgrounds and to work effectively in structured setting.
• Must be able to work well, independently.
• Must possess excellent communication skills using all methods.
• Must be able to build effective and collaborative working relationships with community referral sources.
• Reliable transportation for daily commute in the community to various locations.

BestSelf Behavioral Health considers all applicants for all positions without regard to race, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability , marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally-protected status. Please note, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The agency is unable to provide visa sponsorship or work authorization for this position.